Bill Miller's exit wasn't completely unexpected. For all that the now former Broncos defensive coordinator enjoyed about working at WMU -- proximity to his family in Okemos, his relationship with friend Bill Cubit, a defense that finally bought into his teachings and returns 11 starters -- coaches with his credentials are commodities.

And, in college football, most schools have more to offer financially than those in the Mid-American Conference. Being 10 years from retirement and with two teen-age sons nearing their college years, Miller said he had to consider Louisville's "substantial" offer to be its linebackers coach.

After losing Scott Shafer unexpectedly last year, Cubit had a plan in place long before this day. In December, he told me that Steve Morrison -- who will be named defensive coordinator shortly -- was ready for the job should Miller leave. A year ago, Cubit thought Morrison needed to work under one more coordinator before running the defense. The three-year assistant (defensive line in 2005; linebackers in 2006-07; recruiting coordinator throughout) told Cubit he plans to use most of what Miller employed, though Cubit, in earlier discussions, said if Morrison became coordinator, he could pick and choose between what he liked most from the schemes of Shafer and Miller.

This is a veteran defense with better leadership than a year ago. These guys have been through this before and, this time, will be coached by someone they already know. Add the fact that this year's schedule isn't near as ridiculous as last season's and the transition ought to be considerably more smooth.

On to hoops ...

First a news item. Reserve center Dan Hess injured his left knee in Green Bay and won't be available tonight. The fear is that it's a torn meniscus. If so, Hess, who just returned from thought-to-be season-ending shoulder injury, is done for the season (and his career). This guy can't catch a break.

As for tonight's game, strictly from a basketball standpoint (and, I know, there's a lot more to this one), this is a rough draw for WMU. Usually, the Broncos would be the better team, playing with the motivation of having lost at NIU the last two seasons and with an outright division title for the take. Instead, they'll be playing an emotionally charged team in front of what's likely to be a large crowd and WMU, which took over when things got testy at Green Bay, won't feel comfortable in a bully role tonight.

If WMU loses this one, it's a legitimate mulligan.

An interesting issue that wasn't included in the main story (at mlive.com/broncos) is how Steve Hawkins views tonight's game as the ultimate life lesson.

Here's what director of athletics Kathy Beauregard said on the matter:

"One of the things we try to teach these kids in life, is no matter how bad things get sometimes, you've got to pick it up and move on. This is the perfect example of that. And I think there probably isn't anyone more prepared for that than our student-athletes through our coaching staffs.

"It was so important to Hawkins, when he went through this last incident, this seizure (on Feb. 17), that he showed the kids everything was normal. He needed to be at work the next day. He absolutely wanted to show them ... that you've got to come back."

It'll be an interesting night. I'll have more here and at mlive.com/broncos after the game.